The Rev. Karin MacPhail, rector of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia, was elected seventh bishop of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia on Saturday, January 31 during an election held at the annual diocesan convention in Roanoke, Virginia.
MacPhail was elected on the 3rd round of balloting, receiving 57% of clergy votes and 54% of lay votes. A majority of both clergy and lay votes, on the same ballot, was needed for election.
“Today we give thanks for the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of this Diocese,” said The Rev. Katherine Doyle, president of the diocese’s Standing Committee. “We are grateful for the faithful discernment of our delegates and for the willingness of The Rev. MacPhail to accept this call to serve God’s people in southwestern Virginia.”
Before coming to St. Elizabeth’s in 2018, Karin served the parishes of Christ Church, Millwood and St. Paul’s Memorial, Charlottesville. Karin has been ordained for 21 years and has been active in regional leadership in both the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia and the Diocese of Virginia much of that time. Current roles include serving as chair of the Commission on Ministry and facilitating the Small Church Rector cohort. In the past, Karin has supported youth events, served on the Southwestern Virginia Episcopal Fund board, and chaired the Diocesan Committee on Higher Education. Karin graduated from the University of Texas and holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Karin and her husband, the Reverend Alexander MacPhail, live in Roanoke with their daughter, Maggie, and son, Peter.
We are exceedingly grateful for and humbled by the many inquiries and applications received and especially wish to thank the other three nominees on the slate (listed below). Getting to know each of these candidates has been a joy, and has added richness to the collective life of our diocese. With special gratitude to the candidates, their families, and their home parishes:
- The Rev. Paul H. Canady, III, Rector, Christ Episcopal, New Bern, TN
- The Very Rev. Becky McDaniel, Rector, Westover Episcopal, Charles City, VA
- The Very Rev. Grant Stokes, Rector, Trinity Episcopal, Portsmouth, VA
The bishop-elect will briefly address the convention at 1:30 p.m.; we invite you to tune in via the convention livestream or look for her address which was posted on our diocesan Youtube channel.
The Standing Committee would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to all those whose work and faithful service made this discernment possible.
- The members of the Search Committee for their tireless work in listening, interviewing, and discerning candidates;
- The members of the Transition Committee for shepherding the process and preparing the way for a smooth election;
- Clergy and lay delegates who participated in the election with prayerful attention and care;
- Diocesan staff for their administrative support and pastoral attention throughout the process;
- Congregations across the diocese for their prayers, hospitality, and engagement; and
- The Presiding Bishop’s office and neighboring dioceses for guidance and support.
Next Steps
Immediately following the election of a bishop, we enter a consent process with the wider church. Under the canons of the Episcopal Church, within 120 days of receiving the results of our election a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees will be asked to consent to the bishop-elect’s ordination. Pending consent, MacPhail will be ordained and consecrated as bishop diocesan on June 13, 2026 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Virginia.
Please hold the bishop-elect, her family and friends, and her current parish in your prayers as they prepare for this transition. Additionally, continue to hold the Standing Committee, Transition Committee, and other diocesan leadership in your prayers during this time. In the meantime, plans are underway for ordination! More information will be forthcoming this spring.
Join us in celebration as we joyfully prepare for new leadership in our work of bringing nearer the Kingdom of God here in Southwestern Virginia.
